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Minutes of the Thirteenth Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP), held May 23-24, 2006, in Porlamar, Venezuela, detailing organizational decisions, budget approvals, and scientific reports on global change research in the Americas.

The document contains the minutes of the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-XIII) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on May 23-24, 2006, in Porlamar, Venezuela. The meeting focused on organizational elections, the approval of the 2006-2007 operating budget and country contributions, and the strategic direction of the IAI's scientific agenda, including the implementation of a 'network of networks' to integrate regional research projects.

This report chapter details the development of anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) frameworks in Malawi between 2004 and 2006. It outlines the legislative struggle to pass the Money Laundering, Proceeds of Serious Crime and Terrorist Financing Act 2006, the regulatory measures introduced by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, and the systemic challenges facing enforcement, including limited police capacity and the absence of a national identity system.

This research paper analyzes the greenhouse gas emissions embodied in trade between Japan and the US using a linked input-output model with carbon emission coefficients.

This strategy note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) examines how intellectual property (IP) provisions in bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States undermine access to essential medicines. It argues that "TRIPS-plus" provisions dismantle the public health safeguards established by the 2001 Doha Declaration and suggests strategic actions for civil society to shift the global debate from IP protection to health-driven research and development (R&D).

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute and the National Plug-In Partners Campaign submitted comments to the DOE stating that the Draft PHEV R&D Plan is too conservative. They urge the DOE to accelerate battery development timelines to match industry progress (e.g., GM and Tesla), expand the scale of demonstration projects, and incorporate smart grid/V2G capabilities into the research scope.

Dr. Jonathan Pershing's 2007 testimony to the US House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality outlines the urgency of global climate action, the necessity of differentiated responsibilities for countries, and the need for a multi-faceted approach involving carbon pricing, technology development, and adaptation strategies.

A fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute detailing the costs, benefits, and federal funding mechanisms for hybrid-electric buses in the United States as of 2007.

This report examines how the consolidation and increased market power of global supermarket chains affect global supply chains, specifically focusing on the challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers in the developing world, with a particular emphasis on the fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) sector in sub-Saharan Africa.

This research paper by Kurt Shillinger analyzes South Africa's transition from a regional hegemon during the apartheid era to a self-appointed champion of the 'Global South' in international diplomacy. It argues that while regional strategic rebalancing within southern Africa is not currently underway, South Africa is actively pursuing a rebalancing of global economic and diplomatic power through non-aligned blocs and the United Nations.

This document is a highlights summary of a report by Friends of the Earth International analyzing the global performance of genetically modified (GM) crops between 1996 and 2006. It argues that GM crops have failed to provide superior yields, reduce pesticide use, or alleviate poverty and hunger, while noting significant public opposition in Europe and instances of environmental contamination.

This research paper by Pedro Roffe examines the challenges developing countries face when implementing intellectual property (IP) provisions within bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs). It analyzes the shift from the flexible pre-TRIPS era to a 'TRIPS-Plus' environment, where developed nations—particularly the USA, EU, and EFTA—push for higher protection standards. The author argues that developing countries should move beyond defensive implementation toward a creative approach that modernizes national institutions and utilizes existing legal flexibilities to promote local innovation and public health.

This research paper argues that the U.S. federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 has failed to effectively manage industrial chemicals, leading many U.S. states to enact their own stricter regulations. The author contends that this state-level activism, combined with international regulatory trends—specifically in the European Union—is creating the necessary political pressure for a comprehensive overhaul of federal chemical policy.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) details the proceedings of the 11th session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) held in July 2007. The meeting focused on the protection of Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs), resulting in a recommendation to renew the IGC mandate for two years without a definitive agreement on a binding legal instrument.

This document is a list of action items from the 24th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Manaus, Brazil, from June 12-15, 2007. It details administrative approvals, the creation of ad hoc commissions for strategic planning and personnel evaluation, and budget approvals.

This research paper by John Drexhage of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that global climate governance must evolve beyond a state-centric, environment-department-led model to better integrate environmental and development policies. The author critiques the top-down target-setting of the Kyoto Protocol and proposes a more flexible, sector-based approach to mitigation that engages industry and major economies more realistically. The paper emphasizes that a successful post-2012 regime requires a strong commitment to a development agenda for the Global South, leveraging official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI), and synergies between adaptation and mitigation to alleviate poverty.

This executive summary describes the impact and research findings of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) internship program, which aims to develop the next generation of sustainable development leaders through on-the-job experience and international exposure.

This report details a seminar titled "Understanding Terrorism in Africa: Building Bridges and Overcoming Gaps," held on 19-20 May 2007 at the University of Cairo, Egypt. Organized by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Terrorism Studies and Research Program at the University of Cairo, with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event aimed to address gaps in counter-terrorism efforts and foster partnerships between North and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as between Africa and the West.

This document is a 2007 web exchange between Prof. Steve Berry, Peter Bradford, and Amory Lovins regarding the viability and role of nuclear power in mitigating climate change. The participants debate the economic competitiveness of nuclear energy versus energy efficiency and 'micropower' (distributed renewables), the risks of proliferation and waste, and the energy needs of rapidly developing nations like China and India.

Amory Lovins argues that the world is entering a transition away from oil driven by the economic superiority of energy efficiency. He highlights the potential for ultralight hybrid vehicles, the role of the U.S. Pentagon in driving material innovation to reduce logistics risks, and estimates that eliminating U.S. oil use by the 2040s would cost $15 per barrel. The text suggests that this shift is already being adopted by companies like Wal-Mart and Boeing.